Personal Statement
At the age of thirteen I stepped into a diet center for the first time. My mom was trying to lose weight again and brought me along. My emotions ranged from excitement to apprehension and without realizing it I had begun an unhealthy relationship with food that would last for over 20 years. Like my mother and millions of American women I began a pattern of yo-yo dieting. I would join a program whether it was a diet center, from a magazine, a can of powdered drink mix or one a friend or relative recommended. After a few weeks with mild to moderate weight loss results I would quit and over time regain the weight I had lost and typically gain more. Starting in adolescence my weight would fluctuate with the changes in my life. I would gain and lose weight consistently throughout high school and college, through starting a career, getting married, buying a house and having children. Every weight gain was followed by an attempt to lose it and would result in another weight gain. I was stuck in the viscous cycle of dieting. In January 2004, after my third and last child was born I vowed to myself that I would lose the weight once and for all. I joined Weight Watchers for the last of a dozen times and in 2006, achieved my goal weight.
I have always had an interest in nutrition and health ignited by a college level nutrition course and supported by my own fascination with personal health. I even looked into the dietetics program but was well over half-way finished with my first Bachelor's degree in Consumer and Family studies with an emphasis in fashion design. Possessing an extensive knowledge of nutrition and weight management techniques could not seem to convert knowledge to behavior. After achieving my weight loss in 2006 I began working for Weight Watchers. Although I had a career in fashion and at the time my own business, I was ready for a change. It was here that I discovered my passion for nutrition education. Over the years I counseled hundreds of people from all different walks of life on weight loss, both individually and in groups ranging from 10 to 50 people. I noticed more and more people coming in as a result of the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues and food allergies. They were scared and I wanted to help them but did not have the knowledge to do so.
This desire to help, led to my decision to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). I sold my business and went back to school after nearly 20 years, to pursue a career in the field. In addition to working at Weight Watchers I was also volunteering in my community as a coach for the Girls on the Run program. For four seasons I enjoyed working with 2nd to 5th grade girls on developing exercise and healthy eating habits, self esteem, and a positive body image. I also had the opportunity to teach a ten week elective nutrition course to middle schoolers at the Santa Rosa Charter School, as well as short lessons on nutrition basics to 4th and 5th graders during their health unit.
With the majority of my experience in community nutrition I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed my science courses. Microbiology, anatomy and physiology have opened my eyes to a whole different side of the field that I hadn’t been exposed to yet. I began volunteering at Memorial Hospital and really enjoyed the atmosphere. I helped patients with their menu selections, regularly interacted with the kitchen to help meet patient’s needs, and assisted the RNs with whatever needed to be done. I worked in the office compiling charts and was often present during the huddle with RNs, social workers, and doctors. I was fascinated hearing about the different patients diagnosis and hearing the plans to treat them. This made me want to learn more and lead to the discovery of my passion for clinical dietetics.
As I delved further into the sciences such as, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medical nutrition therapy, my passion deepened. I appreciated the case studies in medical nutrition therapy, being able to see how all of my knowledge, experience, and passion could come together to help someone that is sick or at risk. My extensive background in counseling at Weight Watchers translates over to visiting patients in the hospital. I know that sometimes you only have a few moments with someone; I am a good listener and know how to build rapport and educate in a short period of time. So many people can benefit from small realistic changes in habits over time and I would like to help motivate them to make those changes.
Balancing school including a commute, work, community involvement, raising three wonderful children and caring for my marriage has been challenging. I have the tendency to overextend myself and put other responsibilities before taking care of myself. I am aware of this weakness and have implemented strategies to help. Practicing mindfulness meditation and yoga are particularly helpful. Keeping a very detailed calendar and staying organized are essential to relieving stress. I intend to continue these habits as I transition into an internship and then into working as an RD.
To gain new experience, I left Weight Watchers and began working as a nutrition services aide at Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa. There I have learned about specialized diets and how a hospital nutrition department runs. Preparing patient nourishments and working on tray line have been invaluable experiences. I work directly with diet clerks and under the R.D.s to assure patients get what they want within the parameters of their diets. I am very comfortable in the hospital and can really see myself in that environment. I will thrive in a dietetic internship that emphasizes clinical nutrition. My ability to self direct and work independently, in addition to being part of a team are essential in the hospital setting. I plan to focus on clinical dietetics after completing an internship and working in that capacity in a hospital.
Little did I know that walking in to that diet center thirty years ago would have brought me here today. The service dietitians provide is necessary to help educate and treat people suffering from nutrition related illnesses. Many of these illnesses can be avoided, improved, or even reversed with some education and training. I truly believe that I can help people as an R.D., just as I have helped myself and hundreds of people change habits and find the answers within themselves in regards to weight loss. I can appreciate patient’s apprehension to change and empathize with the barriers they face, as I have been there myself. And even though my weight still fluctuates I am no longer at war with food. Knowing the facts about health and nutrition have been enlightening and I look forward to sharing this knowledge with patients as a Registered Dietitian.
At the age of thirteen I stepped into a diet center for the first time. My mom was trying to lose weight again and brought me along. My emotions ranged from excitement to apprehension and without realizing it I had begun an unhealthy relationship with food that would last for over 20 years. Like my mother and millions of American women I began a pattern of yo-yo dieting. I would join a program whether it was a diet center, from a magazine, a can of powdered drink mix or one a friend or relative recommended. After a few weeks with mild to moderate weight loss results I would quit and over time regain the weight I had lost and typically gain more. Starting in adolescence my weight would fluctuate with the changes in my life. I would gain and lose weight consistently throughout high school and college, through starting a career, getting married, buying a house and having children. Every weight gain was followed by an attempt to lose it and would result in another weight gain. I was stuck in the viscous cycle of dieting. In January 2004, after my third and last child was born I vowed to myself that I would lose the weight once and for all. I joined Weight Watchers for the last of a dozen times and in 2006, achieved my goal weight.
I have always had an interest in nutrition and health ignited by a college level nutrition course and supported by my own fascination with personal health. I even looked into the dietetics program but was well over half-way finished with my first Bachelor's degree in Consumer and Family studies with an emphasis in fashion design. Possessing an extensive knowledge of nutrition and weight management techniques could not seem to convert knowledge to behavior. After achieving my weight loss in 2006 I began working for Weight Watchers. Although I had a career in fashion and at the time my own business, I was ready for a change. It was here that I discovered my passion for nutrition education. Over the years I counseled hundreds of people from all different walks of life on weight loss, both individually and in groups ranging from 10 to 50 people. I noticed more and more people coming in as a result of the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues and food allergies. They were scared and I wanted to help them but did not have the knowledge to do so.
This desire to help, led to my decision to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). I sold my business and went back to school after nearly 20 years, to pursue a career in the field. In addition to working at Weight Watchers I was also volunteering in my community as a coach for the Girls on the Run program. For four seasons I enjoyed working with 2nd to 5th grade girls on developing exercise and healthy eating habits, self esteem, and a positive body image. I also had the opportunity to teach a ten week elective nutrition course to middle schoolers at the Santa Rosa Charter School, as well as short lessons on nutrition basics to 4th and 5th graders during their health unit.
With the majority of my experience in community nutrition I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed my science courses. Microbiology, anatomy and physiology have opened my eyes to a whole different side of the field that I hadn’t been exposed to yet. I began volunteering at Memorial Hospital and really enjoyed the atmosphere. I helped patients with their menu selections, regularly interacted with the kitchen to help meet patient’s needs, and assisted the RNs with whatever needed to be done. I worked in the office compiling charts and was often present during the huddle with RNs, social workers, and doctors. I was fascinated hearing about the different patients diagnosis and hearing the plans to treat them. This made me want to learn more and lead to the discovery of my passion for clinical dietetics.
As I delved further into the sciences such as, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medical nutrition therapy, my passion deepened. I appreciated the case studies in medical nutrition therapy, being able to see how all of my knowledge, experience, and passion could come together to help someone that is sick or at risk. My extensive background in counseling at Weight Watchers translates over to visiting patients in the hospital. I know that sometimes you only have a few moments with someone; I am a good listener and know how to build rapport and educate in a short period of time. So many people can benefit from small realistic changes in habits over time and I would like to help motivate them to make those changes.
Balancing school including a commute, work, community involvement, raising three wonderful children and caring for my marriage has been challenging. I have the tendency to overextend myself and put other responsibilities before taking care of myself. I am aware of this weakness and have implemented strategies to help. Practicing mindfulness meditation and yoga are particularly helpful. Keeping a very detailed calendar and staying organized are essential to relieving stress. I intend to continue these habits as I transition into an internship and then into working as an RD.
To gain new experience, I left Weight Watchers and began working as a nutrition services aide at Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa. There I have learned about specialized diets and how a hospital nutrition department runs. Preparing patient nourishments and working on tray line have been invaluable experiences. I work directly with diet clerks and under the R.D.s to assure patients get what they want within the parameters of their diets. I am very comfortable in the hospital and can really see myself in that environment. I will thrive in a dietetic internship that emphasizes clinical nutrition. My ability to self direct and work independently, in addition to being part of a team are essential in the hospital setting. I plan to focus on clinical dietetics after completing an internship and working in that capacity in a hospital.
Little did I know that walking in to that diet center thirty years ago would have brought me here today. The service dietitians provide is necessary to help educate and treat people suffering from nutrition related illnesses. Many of these illnesses can be avoided, improved, or even reversed with some education and training. I truly believe that I can help people as an R.D., just as I have helped myself and hundreds of people change habits and find the answers within themselves in regards to weight loss. I can appreciate patient’s apprehension to change and empathize with the barriers they face, as I have been there myself. And even though my weight still fluctuates I am no longer at war with food. Knowing the facts about health and nutrition have been enlightening and I look forward to sharing this knowledge with patients as a Registered Dietitian.